Artist: Rotting Christ
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 10/29/02
|
|
Title: Genesis Artist: Rotting Christ Label: Century Media Release Date: 10/29/02 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
4 | ||
|
3 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
If there ever was a band that had a more misleading moniker than Rotting Christ, I haven't heard of it. Their name is just far too ugly a label for the ebon beauty that this band creates. I've personally lost touch with this band since their brilliant piece, Triarchy of the Lost Lovers back in 1996. That album blew me away, sounding completely different than anything else I had ever heard. But subsequent releases didn't hold my attention as much, and I began to pay less and less attention. Sleep of the Angels is the last album I heard from this band, and while I thought of it as quality work, I haven't listened to it in quite some time.
"Their name is just far too ugly a label for the ebon beauty that this band creates." Genesis, their latest offering, is a very interesting record. It is quite original and quite beautiful in its own dark way, mixing melody with a lethargic, underlying heft. The vocals are what struck me first, with clean vocals layered over growls rather than just trading off duties as is done by many bands. This comes across as a sick sort of harmony, allowing the music to feel beautiful and dead at the same time. A well-dressed corpse, if you will.
Many metalheads might not like the lack of hooky riffs and speedy rhythms, but the tortured soul in all of us should appreciate the subtle craftmanship that reverberates throughout the album. That's not to say that there isn't any hook at all in this album. Songs like, "In Domine Sathana" and "Nightmare," both have hook come chorus time, but the album as a whole seems more determined to bring the listener into the album moment for moment, as opposed to creating a memorable dittie that you'll be humming long after the disc is over. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this record is more about atmosphere than anything else.
"A great album, but only necessary for those with a deep attachment to this band." I'm not convinced that this album is going to bring me back into the Rotting Christ camp completely, but I'm enjoying it for what it is right now. A great album, but only necessary for those with a deep attachment to this band.
Death's Review:
Back when American thrash reigned, some of the heavily-accented European stuff sounded funny to me. Over time I've pretty much gotten over it, but I have to admit the Rotting Christ's vocalist Sakis' Greek accent does, at times, sound pretty funny.
"Rotting Christ's vocalist Sakis' Greek accent does, at times, sound pretty funny." Anyway, the music on Genesis, the follow-up to 2000's Khronos is very good. Interesting, at times mildly technical, thrashy yet melodic and catchy. Some of the guitar parts feature creative guitar intonations/riffs/squeals which sound original without being atmospheric or drenched in effects (translation: they sound different yet still kick ass). The production is solid, and the overall impact is aggressive.
Apparently, Rotting Christ have returned to their roots with this release, reverting to their "old" logo and returning to the recording studio where their Century Media debut Triarchy of the Lost Lovers was recorded. While I ultimately give this album the "average" score of 3 skulls, this is definitely what you'd call a strong three skulls, a 3.5 if ever there was one. That's because, while, for me, this will not bear repeated listens, the album definitely does stand out a notch above the pack. Rotting Christ are clearly professional musicians playing interesting music. If you are a fan, you will be psyched about Genesis.
"While, for me, this will not bear repeated listens, the album definitely does stand out a notch above the pack."
Hel's Review:
There are good and bad things about writing two album reviews almost every single week. While I hear a lot of metal, I don't really have a lot of time to go and seek out bands I otherwise would. Rotting Christ is a perfect example. If I were to have had my way, I would have caught their performance at a past metal festival (I can't remember exactly which one anymore, all Koshick events are beginning to run together at this point), but everyone else was whining to go home, and I wasn't able to rebel effectively. Since they haven't put an album out since then, two years have gone by without me following up on my prior interest in hearing them.
"Yeah, I know, adorable is not a word a black metal band wants applied to them, but I'm a girl, give me a break."
"All in all, I consider Rotting Christ to be my new favorite black metal band." So here I sit, Genesis in hand, and glad to have finally made Rotting Christ's acquaintance. They play very palatable black metal, in which the airy high-pitched female vocal wailings and keyboards are rightly where they belong - in the background. Play this record under the right circumstances, and you won't even really realize they're there. In addition to the excellent guitar and rhythm work, the vocalist has an accent that I find utterly adorable. Yeah, I know, adorable is not a word a black metal band wants applied to them, but I'm a girl, give me a break - I may love death metal, but I still consider a circle pit "cute" - sue me.
They lyrics are remarkably good, particularly considering they originate from Greece, and all in all, I consider Rotting Christ to be my new favorite black metal band. After repeated listens, I'm pretty addicted. Were I more of a black metal connoisseur, I would have better wisdom to impart on the bm-snob reading this, but I know they wouldn't take my advice anyway, since I am neither TROO nor KVLT enough to pass above their radar. So, if you like black metal with less emphasis on random atmosphere, shrieking chicks, and keyboards, and with more emphasis on drums, guitars, and melody - hey, check this one out.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.